Over the last six years, the Awakening Into The Sun festival has been the muse to many an artist. Artists who inspire prosperous and expansive consciousness in the world. We learn, grow, and LOVE! Learn about our mission to water your seeds of greatness and help you awaken to your authentic purpose.

We’re going to have free yoga classes, free live music (and folks, these are some of the best around!), health educators, art classes*, and health sessions* such as: crystal bowls, sound therapy, massage, acupuncture and more. As well as, healthy food, pets, art, and lots of sights and sounds to behold.

*Note: Fees will be charged for art classes and certain health sessions.

And there will be lots of vendors (previous years included about 90), of which you can meet and greet, ask questions, sample products, and bring home the items best suited for you and your loved ones.

If you have a marriage license and desire to be wed at the festival, come to the band area–I’m the emcee for the event both days and a Florida licensed notary public and LOVE to marry couples in love! Imagine the blessings you’ll receive from getting married at this holistic event!

For those who have attended in years past, the musical performers you know and love will be joining us again: Duo Vida, Billy Mays III / Infinite Third, Jordyn Zentz, and Eluv (on Saturday); We will also enjoy the luxurious sounds of Lindy Romez & Sol Y Mar, and Latin Rendezvous (on Sunday); Samadhi new to the event this year, will also perform on Sunday. Let’s all of us give our aWEsOMe performers a sunny Florida welcome! I am super excited to see them all again and meet Samadhi!

Then on Sunday about 4pm, we’ll begin gathering for the closing ceremonies, which will be highlighted by the largest drum circle in Florida! Bring your drum, bring your rattles and Tingsha cymbals (I’ll have mine!), and prepare to experience an aWEsOMe awakening, heart-expanding, and soul-connecting time!

Check out this original song, Dogma. It’s one of my favorites, written by my husband and performed and recorded in a Nashville, TN studio. You can download it (it’s Track 1) from this link: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/chevyfordb26

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.

RV Living

Now, here’s the thing. We didn’t know we had a transfer switch or where it was. And it was poorly placed–hidden under the floor and had plywood around it (making it a tinderbox situation), 2 feet from our bed! (This is what it looked like after we unscrewed and removed two wood panels.)

generator transfer switch hidden location

Yes, even when we opened our basement (underneath) storage, there were plywood panels that had no labels on them as to what was behind them.

IOTA burned melted generator transfer switch

Documentation

I got out the RV owner’s manual and there was nothing diagramed or documented about it! And the RV manufacturer went out of business a year after we bought the 5th wheel, so there’s that.

ITS-50R Recalled melted generator transfer switch

IOTA ITS-50R recalled generator automatic transfer switch

The dealer we bought it from, Lazy Days in Seffner, Florida near Tampa, has never stood behind anything that’s went wrong with this coach since day one!

Yesterday, an electrician who just happened to be at our mobile home / RV park, and my husband literally had to sniff to find it (I couldn’t smell anything burning but they did). This was after our power went completely off. No AC power, no DC.

Could have burned

We shudder to think we could have been killed in this rig.

And we have no recourse!

I found there was a recall on the transfer switch, but nobody notified us! I say the dealer is culpable!!!

Manufacturers voluntarily initiate many of these recalls, while others are either influenced by NHTSA investigations or ordered by NHTSA via the courts . If a safety defect is discovered, the manufacturer must notify NHTSA, as well as vehicle or equipment owners, dealers, and distributors . The manufacturer is then required to remedy the problem at no charge to the owner . NHTSA is responsible for monitoring the manufacturer’s corrective action to ensure successful completion of the recall campaign .

What is this quality inspection good for?!?

RV quality inspection sticker

Thus, this experience has us rethinking our living situation.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what we should do? Legal recourse?

Be careful out there!

We Are All Connected. OM

Many blessings to you in ALL ways.

Check out this original song, No Apologies. It’s one of my husband’s tunes – performed and recorded in Nashville, TN. You can download it (it’s Track 1) from this link: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/chevyfordb1

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.

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While my son and I helped dad pack things up, after my dad was mentally and emotionally able to sell the property and mobile home in south Florida where we’d first landed after relocating in 1985 from West Virginia, I found several things that answered some questions I’d had for many years.

Diary pages

Along with several diary pages that mom had written in the 1960s and 1970s, I found an unsigned letter to her that made me question which is more important taking advice from family or from friends.

The statement in the letter that got me was, “I’m disappointed in you that you feel that your friends understand you better than your family (and me).”

Old typed letter

Who wrote it?

I have an idea of who the letter is from, but I am not sure. It was typed, single spaced on one sheet of paper.

As of this moment, it doesn’t matter to me who wrote the letter.

I will say that it ended on what I would consider to be a positive note, though still preachy.

“Don’t continually think about what is in your past. Let’s live for the future.”

Now, as for me, “I’ve had my share of sad kicks in my face, but I have come through” (to quote from one of my favorite Queen songs, We Are The Champions).

I haven’t cried much in the last year since mom passed, mostly because I still communicate with her in subtle ways, and I am keenly aware of her continuation in my life by occurring synchronicities.

Yet, today, I cried.

I had meditated and upon coming out of meditation, I was filled with emotion. I cried and spoke the following aloud:

Family reflect who we were; friends reflect who we are.

Family reflect who we once were, or who we were in the past. But, our friends reflect who we are now, who we’ve become, and how much we’ve grown (or not). That’s why we sometimes tend to love our friends more than our family. Yet, some of us (like me), who are very blessed, have family we are also friends with and who we want to spend eternity with. Time limits us, but thankfully (Thank you, God), that eternity is not limited.

Here’s something that’s true for most of us. We’re stuck in a box, or bottle. Even if its clear.

From a dream

Dream: Mom was reminding me about all the notations she had made in her Bible about “No gossip”, and “not to gossip.”

And that’s because all learning must be Experiential learning—coming from direct experience, which is also why Jesus said let thy speech be yay or nay. He knew that we can never really know the truth of another.

Someone may try to warn you of another. But we all experience each other differently because who we are in any given moment, elicits something different from the person. Many times we’ve experienced this. It’s the situation when one divorced person marries another and they get along gloriously. The “bad” partner may get along with another just fine.

Each of us experience life differently. We just can never fully know someone. People lie. People pretend.

I think most of us want to put our best self forward—but, for most this involves wearing a kind of mask. Call it the mask of pretense. It’s the face of kindness, compassion, peace, or love, while inside ourselves we feel anger, resentment, sadness, jealousy, or regret.

Thank you.

I miss you mama. Thank you. Thank you for teaching me everything I needed to know (when you could barely talk anymore), by looking in my eyes and placing your hand on the side of my face. And for always living in utter GRATITUDE the last years of your life (though your surroundings were not as you once would have wanted). You came to a place of not knowing or of acceptance, it doesn’t matter which, because you were grateful. You became Grace.

I only cry because I never got to tell you how much I got that lesson, how deeply I learned that last lesson from you. I continue forward, with understanding.

Nothing really matters, or everything matters. Each of us get to choose. Who do you love?

We Are All Connected. OM

Many blessings to you in ALL ways.

UPDATE: I found the rest of the letter, and it was NOT from whom I had thought! And the rest of it brought the earlier statements into balance with love and grace, so I have learned another lesson. I continue to feel Gratitude. Tears! 😭

A bit about me:

Check out this original song, Didn’t I Tell You. My husband wrote this song and it was performed and recorded in a Nashville, TN studio. You can download it (it’s Track 6) from this link: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/chevyfordb2

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.

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Upset

Why are you upset?

Well, as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and empath, I just learned today that, “You are only upset about someone else’s disturbance when you CONNECT with the negative Energy of their experience”! ❤️🦋🌀

It seems simple.

It seems I have heard something like that before. Or that at my age, I should have known that. Hmmm. I will meditate on that statement (sit with it) for a few days, and then update this post.

Would you like to share what you think this statement means?

“You are only upset about someone else’s disturbance when you CONNECT with the negative Energy of their experience.”

Choice

I know why I’m upset if someone does or says something TO me, and I know it’s my choice as to how I react. Some people laugh stuff off, but not me. I take stuff seriously. Ugh!

I know it’s my choice about how I react to external situations, but sometimes the emotions overwhelm me to the point that my logic doesn’t work. I use EFT to calm myself during those times, but I would prefer to feel less upset, especially when whatever the situation is has NOTHING to do with me!

Always a choice

Until today, I couldn’t figure out was why I let other people’s negative experiences bother me. When someone is sad or hurting, I empathize.

What happened today?

I listened to Alania Starhawk’s lunchtime Facebook Live message and the statement in bold above just dropped into my mind!

We Are All Connected. OM

Many blessings to you in ALL ways.

Check out this original song, For my sanity. It’s one of my favorite tunes and I’ve sang it on occasion. My artist / guitarist / bassist husband wrote it and had it recorded in Nashville, TN. You can download it (it’s Track 6) from this link: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/chevyfordb25

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.

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Creative Alchemy class

After moving from the west coast of Florida to the east coast, I’d thought I was going to miss participating and joining with many of the groups I’d become so engaged with!

Thus, I was so excited when Alania Starhawk offered a webinar type of online 4-week class. I jumped at the opportunity to participate!

Creative Alchemy

I love learning via tele-call series and online programs, and Alania’s class was aWEsOMe! I was always so eager to connect each Tuesday evening at 7pm–a perfect time for me!

I really enjoyed the Webinar Ninja online platform and that there was plenty of space to make notes in the chat window, while learning in this way.

Universal source supports you

Saving information

As you see, I was able to take screen captures of the slides that Alania presented to include the chat text I shared, (using my iPhone), to save for my future reference. As well, each call was recorded and Alania shared the link with each of the attendees via email, so we can listen to the calls again and again.

When I began the course, I’d been finishing up a book, which I’d been working on (off and on) for 13 years. I had desired to complete it a couple of years ago, but that didn’t happen. Awhile later, I’d wanted to finish it last year, and then I started a new job and three days later, my mother passed.

By December of 2017, I’d decided I would set a date to wrap up the book (no matter how “complete” I thought it was), by May 2018–before going to New Hampshire for the month. Yet, the book languished on the computer with many notes on my iPhone for it, that I needed to verify via books and online sources.

When I signed up for Creative Alchemy I had an idea that I would use whatever energy I felt from the class, and whatever enthusiasm it sparked, I’d direct it toward finishing the book.

Energized to accomplish

I’m ecstatic to tell you all, that yes, it worked! I completed the manuscript of the book on 8/6/2018, right before the Lion’s Gate date of 8/8! And I didn’t even know what the Lion’s Gate was!

Thus, the following are what I learned from Alania’s Creative Alchemy course:

I became energized about my own personal power

I was lovingly reminded that we are ALL supported

As I scrutinized my book, I felt a very tangible PUSH to stay focused

I opened more in an extraordinary way to get the book to the finish line

Alania’s class gave me a nudging boost, or gentle push, yet all of this happened with ease–to get my book done. I know it sounds odd to say that, and may be hard to imagine, but it’s true. Several things just sort of moved out of the way, yet nothing was ignored–and like a kaleidoscope that creates a gorgeous design by allowing all of the bits to easily fall into place–all of the edits that I’d had noted to make and all of the citations were checked by the last day of our class.

I finally felt a sense of balance about having written a book of over 200 pages about one’s personal responsibility and options within the realm of holistic health and wellness.

The manuscript is in layout phase now, and I will write another article and press release when that part of the process is complete. So, stay tuned!

About Alania Starhawk

Alania is one of the most genuine, brilliant, and bright shining hearts I know! I trust her implicitly.

I realize that in the world of spiritual teachers, mentors, way showers, channelers, and so forth, some people have skeptical thoughts. I can assure you of Alania’s integrity.

I’ve written previously that I meditate to expand my energy and reach. I see myself as a voice and influence, connecting to my coworkers, friends, neighbors, local community, state, region, country, continent, and world. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED. And I always want to honor this knowing.

If we’re in better shape emotionally, mentally, and physically, we can change the world! And why is that important? Because We Are All Connected!

Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith’s Life Visioning program

After completing, Dr. Alison J. Kay’s, “Your Sensitivity Is Your Power” tele-call series, I was presented with an opportunity to take part in Mind Valley’s first Live Coaching Program with Reverend Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, one of America’s most enlightened spiritual leaders.

Mind Valley claimed the program would “Forever Change Your Path” and it certainly lit a fire under me to make some changes and accomplish more.

Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith’s Life Visioning program

Changes made

So, what changes have I made?

I became clearer about how strong and deep my own personal power is

I volunteered to welcome vendors on Saturday March 5th at the 4th annual Awakening Into The Sun festival

I met Julie Moret and Keith Mitchell with so much energy and vitality that I almost scared myself! (Julie is a student of Dr. Michael Beckwith, author of What’s Your What and motivational speaker. She spoke with a beautiful genuine heart and led us in meditation. Keith is a former NFL linebacker turned yoga teacher)

At the Awakening Into The Sun event, I participated in one complete advanced yoga session (led by Keith Mitchell) in the morning and part of another session offered that evening too! The yoga sessions were so aWEsOMe and extraordinary that my body woke up at 3:33am Sunday morning feeling all of the life-enhancing and rejuvenating effects!

Accomplishments

What have I accomplished?

Wrote an article for Emily Stein (Yamuna Body Rolling Practitioner) — see it here

Signed up as a participant/performer with Breakthrough Performance Workshop, a performance based singing group, which after 8 weeks, culminated in a singing performance with a live band (April 16th, 2016)

Wrote two articles about Tibetan Bowl Therapy for Awakening Wellness Center, one on my blog here, and another to be published soon in Conscious Shift magazine

I also learned never to compare myself with anyone. Period. I am a distinct individual. I am a unique expression of the whole. Just as every leaf, and snowflake is unique and different, so each of us are unique and different–thus we should never compare ourselves to any other person.

Now, I contribute more fully, and with more intention. I told many people during the Awakening Into The Sun event that I couldn’t be happier if I was levitating! Ha! And I meant it–feeling JOY in every fiber of my being!

About Reverend Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith

Dr. Beckwith is the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, a trans-denominational spiritual community with congregation of over 9,000 members at this time.

He has appeared on several television shows, Dr. Oz, The Oprah Show, Larry King Live and also in his own featured PBS Special, The Answer Is You, that allows his message to be seen and heard by millions of people.

Dr. Beckwith has participated alongside the Dalai Lama and other New Thought Ministers in The Synthesis Dialogues. He is the creator of the Visioning Process, which he teaches world-wide via books and seminars. The Visioning Process is a way to more fully open to and embrace our connection to the divine. We become vessels that the Universe can serve through.

In my last article, I explained that each morning I meditate to expand my energy and reach. I see myself as a voice and influence, connecting to my coworkers, friends, neighbors, local community, state, region, country, continent, and world. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED. And I always want to honor this knowing.

If we’re in better shape emotionally, mentally, and physically, we can change the world! And why is that important? Because We Are All Connected!

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I’ve heard it said, “you’re either growing or dying” and that, “the universe is either expanding or shrinking.” If that is true, then it seems to acknowledge that everything in life, all there is around us, is dynamic – nothing is static.

In a previous post, I wrote that, “We grow as blades of grass, up through the earth.” And that “dirt, or earth, is analogous to all of the resistance we encounter.” These thoughts were instigated years ago, when a coworker encouraged me with the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted.” Oh how right she was!

At that time, I felt constant irritation from a superior when he would casually walk by my desk and tell me to smile – while I was working! Being the studious and serious type, smiling while concentrating on work tasks was something I just didn’t do. The more he admonished me to smile, the more aggravated I became. In passing, I must have mentioned my exasperation one day to my friend, when she lavished me with that golden nugget of truth – about the blooming. I even remember thinking of a response to her – likened to – “yes, no matter how much fertilizer is put upon you!” (but I didn’t tell her).

Day in and day out, I would notice people around me laughing, chatting, and cutting up during the day, but I wasn’t.

I am an empath. I am a highly sensitive person (HSP). I feel lots of things very strongly.

I have discovered that I become resentful when things aren’t fair or balanced.

While working in an office, I recall thinking, “we’re here to work” and “we’re here to earn our pay.” Why was I always the one to feel so determined! I was always applying effort. The pitfalls of continually wanting to do my best, try hard, people-please, and succeed, yada, yada. But at what cost to my Self?

Realizing I was wallowing in resistance, I knew I had to climb out of it, or it would bury me. A seed pushes against dirt in order to grow, but I felt as though I was pushing against me, not growing, but receding! Plants, indeed everything in the living kingdom need the resistance in order to grow, and grow strong.

One day I learned what hell meant. Out in the garden we can hell for potatoes, as in “we’re sweating out here helling for potatoes.” Hell is just “the ground”, or “the dirt.” It never was meant to be some fearful place of oppression or torment. So, my thoughts of “this is hell” was the only thing that kept me disturbed. And I lacked the knowledge, at the time, of how to climb up out of the grave (of the frustrating job) up the slippery walls of resistance and into freedom.

Eventually, as other factors contributed, I left the job.

Years later, during a time of fasting, those years of struggle came to mind, but with softness and thanksgiving, the resentment fading. Not only had I learned more about myself, but as a body builder strengthens muscles from lifting weights, I had grown emotional muscles, in fact “blooming“, from what I had perceived as resistance!

I distinctly remembered the day I had begun saying to myself (about my boss), “Thank you for helping me to make a better decision” – whenever I’d felt picked on or taken advantage of (to do more work). I couldn’t change whether or not I was picked on, but I could have changed my reaction to it! And it had always been my choice – whether I was willing or able to know it then or not – as to how much work I was willing to take on.

All the feelings I’d felt were solely based on my perception and may not have been entirely accurate, as one can never really see things from all sides anyway.

Looking back, I saw where I had resisted quite a few things during that time, which is probably why I felt harried and stressed. Oh, had I just learned to “go with the flow” sooner, I could have smiled and experienced joy.

I’ve learned, we didn’t come into this life for the struggle. Life will go on without us after we’re gone. Whether we leave a company, end a marriage, or die. Nothing’s static, everything changes.

Now? I’m learning to let go and breathe. Get more play into each day. My former superior might be happy to know that once in awhile, even if I’m troubleshooting something, I smile and “in – joy” doing whatever it is I’m attempting to do. I wish for you the same.